Methodology of Paleohydrogeological Studies

Abstract

The techniques (methods) that are applied in paleohydrogeological reconstructions are most diverse depending upon the object of study, the character of basic data, completeness of geological records and other factors. In this chapter the following methods will be discussed: (1) structural paleohydrogeological analysis (reconstruction of general conditions, under which ground water occurred in earlier geological structures; reconstruction of principal types of hydrogeological structures for different geological epochs, etc.); (2) paleohydrogeodynamic analysis (reconstruction of water productivity of rocks, conditions of recharge and circulation of ground water, hydrogeodynamic zones, etc.); (3) paleohydro-geochemical analysis (reconstruction of salinity, chemical composition, hydrogeo-chemical zones of ground water, etc.); (4) paleohydrogeothermal analysis (reconstruction of temperatures, hydrogeothermal zones of ground waters, etc.). All of the above methods involve both the analysis and generalization of regional, historical, geological data (on paleotectonics, paleogeography, paleomorphology, etc.) and the analysis and generalization of data pertaining to direct activity of ground water that existed in past geological epochs.